Art Department to Hold Silent Art Auction Nov. 17

November 02, 2005

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ The vision of an art auction usually entails the image of people
raising numbered paddles, bidding hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single oil
painting. Many of us may never have the opportunity to buy art through an auction.
But on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh,
participants at the Silent Art Auction sponsored by the Art Department will have such
an opportunity.

The event, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Myers Fine Arts Building, will
feature student and alumni works of art that will be auctioned off to benefit the
Don Osborn Endowment Fund in support of the Plattsburgh State Sculpture Park through
the Plattsburgh College Foundation. Osborn is a SUNY Plattsburgh professor emeritus
of art and was instrumental in the creation of the College's sculpture park.

"Our sculpture park is one of the aspects on campus that is unique in the SUNY system
and colleges in general," said Diane Fine, professor of art. "The money in this fund
would be used for upkeep, moving and interpretation through publishing brochures that
make the park an accessible and rich learning experience for our students and community."

Artwork, which will include printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculptures and paintings,
will be displayed on tables with a piece of paper placed beside it. Those interested
in purchasing the work can write a bid on the paper. If someone else offers a higher
bid, the first person must decide to raise the bid. Each work will be "on auction"
for a specified period of time so someone doesn't have to stay for the entire time
to win a bid and buy the art.

This past summer, six art alumni gathered for a weekend of art-making specifically
for the art auction. Justin Rabideau '02, Kathy O'Connell '02, Denise St. Onge '94,
Shannon Hayes '99, Melanie Finlaysen '04 and Tina Lamour '04 traveled from as far
away as Colorado to create pieces that will be auctioned off on Nov. 17.

"I was happy to come back here and to give something back in the name of Don and Plattsburgh
in general," said Rabideau, who is currently working on his MFA from the University
of Georgia in Athens. "I'm glad to donate my time and energy toward something I feel
strongly about."

Lamour, who is working on her MFA at the University of Colorado in Boulder, said that
she was also excited to be back on campus.

"Don's commitment to the sculpture park is contagious. It is exciting to know that
his vision for the College will continue on in the form of this endowment and that
I can be a part of it," said Lamour.

Four current students, Tina Hasel, Rachel Barde, Naresh Francois and Patsy Detweiler,
are helping to coordinate the auction through an independent study project.

"The last two experiences with this project were very rich for all involved," said
Fine. "Students were able to help by sharing their creativity, and the College community
had the pleasure of looking at and buying original artwork."

The auction, which is free and open to the public, will feature live music and refreshments.
For more information, contact Fine at 518-564-2461 or Email her at [email protected]